For the past 32 years, Pearl River County resident Jane Manuel has helped spread Christmas cheer to hundreds of needy children in the area.
She along with her congregation at First Baptist Church of Carriere, the Blue Knights Mississippi Chapter IX and hundreds of donors, provide Christmas presents for the children of incarcerated parents.
It’s called the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship Ministry.
According to www.prisonfellowship.org, Angel Tree reaches out to the children of inmates and their families in America. The program gives churches the opportunity to share God’s love by helping meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the families, the website states.
“Each year the prison chaplain compiles a list of participating families,” Manuel said. “Once I get the names of the Pearl River County families, I contact the caregivers to see if they are interested and obtain clothing sizes and the children’s wants.”
Manuel writes the child’s wish list on an angel ornament and hangs them on trees placed in various local businesses.
Once the prison fellowship’s needs are met, Manual then turns her attention to needy children in the county.
Last year, the lives of 476 children were enriched by the efforts of Manuel and the local motorcycle club.
David Ervin is the president of the Blue Knights Mississippi Chapter IX and invites the public to come out, have a good time and help the children.
About three years ago, Ervin teamed up with Manuel to host the first motorcycle run to gather donations for the cause.
“It’s been a big success,” Ervin said. “This is a very good program and I commend Ms. Jane and we hope to help grow and increase the number of children helped by this program.”
“It has grown every year and God has blessed it,” Manuel said. “God has opened more doors and made this a profitable venture.”
The annual Angel Tree Motorcycle Run will be held this Sat. Nov. 22. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and ride begins at 10 a.m. at Frist Baptist Church of Carriere located at 7264 Hwy. 11. The ride will last about two hours.
The event is open to everyone and costs $10 per rider. Proceeds are donated to Angel Tree ministries.
Coffee and breakfast pastries will be provided for early arrivals.
After the ride, lunch will be served in the fellowship hall.
Lunch will cost $10 per person for non-riders.
For more information contact Manuel at 601-798-6301 or through email at romans828@charter.net.
If people would like to pick up an angel, there is a tree displayed at the Claiborne Hill in Picayune on Hwy. 11 N.
Manuel said Picayune’s Wal-Mart will have their tree up after Black Friday and there are plans for a tree at Highland Hospital.
Printed on the angels are the child’s name, clothing sizes and wants, Manuel said. Once donors pick an angel, they have until Dec. 15 to bring the angel and gift back to the business.